Page 5 of Brandt's Rule

“Interesting,” Tempest said, nodding slowly as she finished off her frappe.

“Enough of me rambling. Tell me about your friend. What’s his name? Maybe I’ve heard of him, or her. Is she a her?” she said.

“No. He’s a him. I don’t know much. He’s an old family friend and I haven’t actually seen him since I was a child. But as long as I’m in the area, I thought I’d see if I could find him.”

Bailey shrugged, and kept eye contact, indicating she was waiting for a name.

“All I know is his name is Maverik. He’s about my height.”

“You’re tall for a girl.”

“Always have been. On both sides of my family,” Tempest said. Then she continued with her description. “Maverik has a really bad scar across his face, here,” she said, using her finger to indicate a line across her face and down her lips. “And he used to wear his hair in a Mohawk, but I’m not sure if he still would after all these years.”

“That sounds like one of the guys that comes in here fairly often. In fact, the pretty one that left as you got here… he’s family of his. I think. I know I’ve seen them together. Maybe start with him.”

“What’s his name?” Tempest asked.

“Brandt Marchande’. He works for Flux Construction. It’s a family business. They’re really big in the building industry around here. There’s a big new condo complex going up on the new golf course outside of town that they’re in charge of. That’s where you’ll find Brandt most days. His family lives a little further out on a huge piece of property past that,” Bailey said, pointing in the direction she was referring to.

“Thanks, Bailey. I appreciate the information,” Tempest said as she gathered her remaining cup of coffee and picked up her helmet.

“You’re welcome. Come back and visit me. Maybe we can get a burger or something. Vince’s Place has the best burgers around here. I don’t think that’ll change no matter which restaurant chain comes to town.”

“I’d like that,” Tempest said, smiling at her new friend as she backed toward the door. “I’ll see you soon.”

“Looking forward to it!” Bailey said.

Chapter 2

No sooner had Brandt parked his truck than Maverik was walking toward him.

“Boy, you know I love ya, but you have got to be the slowest driving one of all of us!”

“I have a truck bed full of tools. Do you really think I’m going to throw them all around the bed of the truck to get your food to you a few minutes sooner than if I just drove the damn speed limit?”

“Yes. Yes, I do. Which one is mine?” Maverik asked, taking the bag of food and digging through it.

“They’re all exactly the same. Take whichever one you want.”

Maverik lifted the burritos up one by one and peered at them like he could see through the wrapper. “This one! I want this one. It’s got cheese pouring out of it.”

“Great. Glad you found one you like,” Brandt said.

“Me, too,” Maverik said, grinning at Brandt as he smacked him in the chest with the bag holding the rest of the burritos, then grabbed a coffee and walked happily away.

Brandt gathered up both bags of food, then the flat of coffees, and headed toward the construction site, emitting a sharp whistle.

The sounds of saws, hammers, sanders, all came to a stop and males started toward him from several different buildings that were partially constructed.

“Breakfast has arrived,” Barron said, relieving Brandt of the bag of donuts and shoving one in his mouth as he took one of the cups of coffee from the flat and fell into step with him.

“Explain to me why the boss is going for breakfast instead of sending someone else,” Brandt said.

“One, you were the last one in, so that makes it your responsibility today. Two, I’m the boss, technically. Not you. You’re Alpha,” Barron said, grinning at Brandt as he shoved another donut into his mouth.

“Not sure how much longer I can pretend to ignore that girl. Somebody else really needs to go get our food from there. Otherwise, I’m going to start going somewhere else,” Brandt said.

“She’s one little human. Just tell her you’re not interested. Maybe growl at her and scare her off,” Remi said, reaching into the bag of burritos to take one for himself before passing it to Jobe.

---